Amazon and Galapagos Wildlife Holiday
14 days from £5,600 pp
Over two weeks, discover some of the best wildlife in the world on our Amazon and Galapagos Holiday. Stay in an incredible wildlife lodge in the heart of Ecuadoran Amazon, surrounded by jungle with a range of exciting activities to choose from. In The Galapagos, its time for Island-Hopping. Go kayaking alongside sealions, meet Giant Tortoises, trek volcanos, meet local fisherman, immerse into local cultures and customs and see the iconic wildlife. If you love nature, outdoor adventures and wildlife, this is the perfect holiday.
Trip Highlights
- Canoe to your Amazon lodge, deep in the jungle
- Choose a volcano hike in Cotopaxi, bird-watching in The Cloud Forest, or both!
- Meet local legend Claudio Cruz, a descendant of the Galapagos Islands’ original settlers
- Swim alongside sealions, snorkel with white-tipped reef sharks and spot blue-footed boobies
Our Expert Tip
”Our land-based Galapagos Island Hopping Holiday is not only more affordable than a cruise, but offers a more sustainable approach to exploring the Galapagos Islands”
Sam, Founder
Detailed Amazon and Galapagos Wildlife Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Your Amazon and Galapagos Wildlife Holiday begins in the capital of Ecuador, Quito. Stay in a comfortable airport hotel to be nearby to your onwards flight to the Amazon the next morning.
Day 2: Amazon
The wildlife adventure really begins here, with a combination of plane, boat and motorised canoe. Enjoy this exciting two-hour comfortable ride downstream on the Napo River, to reach your charming jungle lodge deep in the Amazon basin.
This majestic and peaceful ride along a narrow river leads to the Añangu Lake, where the lodge will appear in front of you.
The Amazon lodge we have chosen is renowned for its ongoing conversation efforts and offers an incredible selection of outdoor activities to choose from.
Day 3: Amazon
Visit one of the most incredible nature spectacles you will ever see: the parrot clay licks. This is a spectacle of colours, with parrots, macaws and parakeets visiting the clay licks every day to feed on the minerals in the soil.
With your wildlife guide, hike along the forest trail to visit the Kichwa Añangu community and learn about their every-day-life routines, ancestral customs and traditions.
Hike through a Terra Firme forest to reach a second parrot clay lick, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch whilst watching the colourful spectacle unfold in front of you.
Day 4: Amazon
Head to the Canopy Observation Tower, a 36m high platform providing one of the most amazing views of the jungle. The bird-spotting up here is something to behold, especially when flocks of vibrantly coloured tanagers, blue-and-yellow macaws and large toucans fly past in the early mornings.
Lace up your walking boots and follow a trail deep into the forest to discover the beautiful and mysterious wildlife that hides in the interior. Look out for lizards, different species of monkeys such as the endemic Golden Mantle Tamarin, rare and unique insects and even some snakes.
Visit the black water Añangu Lake and streams that are home to different species of fish and mammals such as the iconic Giant Otter.
Day 5: Quito
Depart back to Coca Airport, by the same adventurous route, looking out for rare birds, monkeys and if you are lucky a Giant Otter from your canoe. On arrival into Quito, transfer to a lovely boutique hotel in the city center where you will enjoy a guided walking tour.
Explore the old town, one of the best-preserved in Latin America, full of narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed walls, and elaborately decorated churches. Highlights include a visit to the Main Plaza, Government Palace, La Compañía, and the San Francisco Monastery.
Day 6: Otavalo, Cotopaxi OR Cloud Forest
Choose from a private full day tour to either indigenous Otavalo, iconic Cotopaxi Volcano, or misty Bellavista Cloud Forest.
Otavalo is where the local Kichwa indigenous culture proudly thrives. Visit the famous market, filled with colorful handmade objects and expert craftwork, before continuing to the workshop of ‘Master Weaver’ Miguel Andrango. Drive to Cuicocha lagoon, a deep-blue crater lake on flanks of Cotacachi Volcano, for a short hike and stunning views.
Cotopaxi National Park is named after it’s picture perfect snow-capped volcano. Learn about the history of this volcano’s major eruptions then spend the day hiking around Lake Limpiopungo under the gaze of the volcano.
If you choose the Cloud Forest, expect a bird-watching paradise. An incredible 170 species of birds have been recorded at Bellavista, including Giant Antpittas, Swallow-tailed Nightjars, Plush-capped Finches, Beautiful Jays, White-face Nunbird, brightly colored Tanagers, and the Platebilled Mountain-Toucan. Explore the mountainous forest on foot with an expert guide who will point out the cloud forest’s exuberant vegetation and bird life.
Struggling to choose between these three amazing option? Why not extend your holiday and include more than one. Take a look at our Slow Travel Ecuador In-Depth Holiday.
Day 7: Itabaca Channel, Galapagos
Catch your flight from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands and dive straight into the adventure with a visit to the Itabaca Channel. Using a special VIP lounge change into hiking/swimming gear, apply sunscreen and get going!
Explore the turquoise waters by kayak, snorkel or stand-up paddle board and encounter iconic Galapagos wildlife such as blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans and reef sharks.
Glide through beautiful mangrove forests and along lava rocks, all while spotting amazing marine life. Continue to Santa Cruz island and head to a private reserve where you’ll witness Giant Turtles roaming freely in their natural habitat.
Day 8: Santa Fe, Galapagos
Set out to sea with a local former fisherman for a full-day excursion to experience the waters around one of the Galapagos’ more remote islands.
Head towards Santa Fe Island, home to unique marine biodiversity. Swim with sharks, snorkel alongside colourful fish and sea cucumbers, and come face to face with curious sea lions.
Furthermore you will be able to discover one of the most important sea lion colonies in the entire archipelago.
Day 9: Floreana Island, Galapagos
Embark on an exhilarating boat journey to Floreana Island, so remote, it is home to just 150 residents. On arrival, take an open-air Chiva Bus to Floreana Lava Lodge where you’ll be met by local legend Claudio Cruz, a proud descendent of one of the island’s original settlers.
From there, walk or kayak to Black Beach for some uninterrupted snorkeling and enjoy a locally prepared delicious lunch.
Later, head to a nearby sea lion breeding ground. Jump in the clear water for more swimming where you will likely spot sea turtles and rays in their natural habitat. End the day with a spectacular sunset dinner and refreshing cold drink back at the lodge.
Day 10: Floreana Island, Galapagos
Learn about the colourful history of some of Floreanas first inhabitants, such as the Wittmers, ‘The Baroness’ and the pirates that once visited.
Put on your hiking boots for a thrilling trek past historic sites, pirate caves, freshwater springs and occasionally Giant Tortoises.
Take a visit to Claudio’s farm, watch the frigate birds ‘dance’ and maybe see males puffing up the red pouches on their chests. Finally end with a special BBQ lunch featuring delicious family recipes. A culturally rewarding day.
Day 11: Isabela Island, Galapagos
Today, transfer by speedboat to Isabela Island, where you will visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, learning all about the conversation projects in the archipelago.
You may catch a glimpse of pink flamingos by the lake. With your guide take a bike trip to the ‘Wall of Tears’ ; a sobering but important cultural highlight.
Afterwards head to the Tintoreras Islands looking for reef sharks and other iconic wildlife. Snorkel and swim in beautiful clear waters alongside your marine life friends.
Day 12: Isabela Island, Galapagos
Experience an incredible day hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano. This rewarding hike will take you past some eerie and incredible landscapes and scenery; through foggy passes past the shadows of the volcano, past Galapagos Hawks, finches, fly catchers and short-eared owls.
Reach the second largest crater rim on earth, surrounded by Mars-like landscapes. The views are magnificent; look out for lava tubes and fumaroles. Finally, after your epic climb, head back down and unwind on the beaches of Puerto Villamil.
Day 13: Quito
This morning enjoy more snorkeling before saying goodbye to the inspiring Galapagos Islands by catching a speed boat back to Santa Cruz and transfer by land to Baltra for your flight back to Quito.
Stay one final night in the capital, try some amazing restaurants, perhaps visit some markets and soak up the last of the South American atmosphere.
Day 14: Depart
When to Go
Includes
- All accommodation
- Excursions
- Transport
- Private guides
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa cost
- Tips
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
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- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
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Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
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Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
